Royal in narrow 17-14 win over Wesley

by Sajeewa Jayakody

Royal College staved off a fierce challenge from a gallant Wesley College outfit to win by 17 points (two goals, one penalty) to 14 (two goals) in their Singer A Division -school League Rugby Tournament match played at , Longden Place, yesterday after leading seven-nil at half time.

Royal was comfortably placed with a lead of 17 points, but a superb fightback by Wesley in the last 10 minute saw them scoring a try by DA Gunatilleke, which was converted by B .T. M Jurampathy to make it 17-14.

With a minute to go, the Wesleyites missed a golden opportunity to force a draw but their place kicker Jurampathy missed a 30-metre penalty much to the relief of the Royalits.

The first half turned out to be a closely fought affair with both teams unable to cross the touch’ due to some fierce tackling.

However, the Reid Avenue school managed to breach the defence in the 14th minute when prop forward Ayesh Maduranga powered his way to touch down mid-left. Ovin Askey made a superb conversion to give them a seven-nil lead.

There were no further scoring by Wesley in the first half as the teams went into half time with Royal leading seven-nil.

Royal had a chance of increasing the lead, on the stroke of half time., but Ovin Askey missed a 55-metre penalty.

Soon after resumption, the Reid Avenue school increased their lead when prop Harith Lokugamage barged over to score by the left corner flag. Ovin Askey made a splendid conversion and Royal led 14-0.

The Wesleyites hit back in the 22nd minute, when TB Sabar scored off a forward rush with LT Avishka adding the extra points.

Then came the fightback of the Wesleyites in the last 10 minutes when they fell short by three points through a penalty and then missed another vital penalty to give Royal a narrow 17-14 win.

Referee Dinka Peiris.